Device for fitting substrates with electric components

ABSTRACT

A plate-like support ( 3, 23 ) for positioning devices ( 4, 20 ) provided for fitting substrates ( 6 ) with electric components ( 15 ) is arranged above a delivery section ( 5 ) for the substrates ( 6 ). A chassis ( 1 ) of the device comprises, in the end area and middle area of the delivery section ( 5 ), wall-like uprights ( 9, 10 ) for the support ( 3, 23 ). The uprights ( 9, 10 ) are arranged at a right angle to one another so that the support ( 3, 23 ) is supported in a low-vibration manner in the direction of travel of the positioning device ( 4 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a device for fitting substrates with electric components, the device having at least one positioning device for a fitting head which can be moved in two coordinate directions for handling the components.

[0002] A device of this type has been disclosed, for example, by WO 9837744 A1. According to that document, the device has a linear transport having two fitting stations for the substrates. Between the two fitting stations, a beam-like carrier extends transversely to the transport direction of the substrates. Attached to the carrier on both sides are X-Y positioning devices which cover the fitting stations and the collecting points for the components. The positioning device comprises a longitudinal guide fixed to the carrier and provided with magnetic parts, along which an upright positioning arm provided with a coil part can be moved, on which a fitting head for handling the components can be moved. The positioning arm, anchored on one side, has a relatively great free length. Rapid acceleration processes and in particular braking processes lead to oscillations in the positioning arm, which are disruptive in particular when the fitting head is in its end region. During each collecting or fitting operation, these oscillations must first have decayed before these operations can be carried out.

[0003] Feed modules for the components are lined up on both sides of the transport path in the direction of the positioning arms. Since the positioning arms must not become too long, the number of feed modules and therefore the multiplicity of components which can be provided are also limited.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a device which, with a compact design, permits low-oscillation mounting of the fitting head.

[0005] This object is achieved by the invention as claimed in claim 1. Since the fitting head is now no longer arranged at the side of the fitting stations but above the latter, the stationary longitudinal guide can also be arranged through the center of the travel area, so that the movable positioning arm can be driven, guided and supported in a central section, for example by means of an integrated linear motor. The freely projecting sections are thus distributed on both sides of the longitudinal guide and remain correspondingly short and flexurally rigid. The result of arranging the positioning axes in the central region of the fitting area is very short lever arms during fitting, which increases the fitting accuracy.

[0006] As a result of arranging the carrier above the fitting plane, no supporting structures are needed in the travel area of the fitting head, so that the feed devices for the components can be brought up close to the fitting station. Because of the beneficial mounting conditions, the travel area in the direction of the row of the feed modules can be enlarged to such an extent that a considerably greater number of feed modules can be attached.

[0007] The dimensionally stable carrier can be connected firmly to the chassis by the end supports and the central supports, so that low-oscillation transmission of the accelerating and braking forces into the chassis is possible.

[0008] Advantageous developments of the invention are identified in the subclaims:

[0009] The wall-like central supports as claimed in claim 2, as a result of their extent in the transport direction, stiffen

[0010] the support of the carrier, in particular in this direction. As a result of their oblique inclination, the carrier in the central area is also supported particularly well in the transverse direction. The wall-like end supports as claimed in claim 3 stiffen the structure transversely with respect to the transport direction of the substrates.

[0011] The relatively slim supports can be arranged at a short distance from the outer edge of the travel area, which permits correspondingly compact external dimensions.

[0012] The plate-like carrier as claimed in claim 4 is particularly flexurally rigid in the direction of travel and correspondingly exhibits little oscillation. The clearances in the corner regions make access easier to the interior of the device.

[0013] The chassis as claimed in claim 5 is adapted to the position of the supports. The internal corners of the cross-like structure serve to accommodate feed modules for the components to be provided.

[0014] The low-oscillation casting as claimed in claim 6 may be produced cost-effectively.

[0015] Pneumatic units or units for power supply, for example, can be inserted into the hollow basic body as claimed in claim 7.

[0016] The cavity in the basic body, extending underneath the conveying path, as claimed in claim 8, can be used for the installation of an additional transport path, on which substrates can be locked past the fitting stations belonging to the device.

[0017] The plate-like carrier as claimed in claim 9 has the advantage that different positioning devices can be mounted in a different configuration.

[0018] For instance, the fixed longitudinal axis of the positioning device can be oriented parallel to the conveying direction, as claimed in claim 10, the positioning arm covering both feed areas for the components.

[0019] However, as claimed in claim 11, it is also possible to arrange the fixed longitudinal guide transversely with respect to the conveying direction and above the fitting station, as a result of which the positioning arms can be kept shorter. Arranging two positioning arms on the common longitudinal guide means that the fitting performance can be increased considerably, by the two positioning devices alternately collecting the components and placing them on the substrate.

[0020] By means of the development as claimed in claim 12, the operating and control devices can be arranged to be easily accessible in a close association with the positioning devices.

[0021] The invention will be explained in more detail in the following text using exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a device for fitting substrates with electric components,

[0023]FIG. 2 shows a partial section through the device according to FIG. 1,

[0024]FIG. 3 shows a partial section through a modified device according to FIG. 1.

[0025] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a chassis 1 of a device for fitting substrates 6 with electric components 15 comprises a cast basic body 2 and a plate-like carrier 3 which is fixed thereto and on which an X-Y positioning device 4 is mounted. Above the basic body 2, a conveying path 5 for the substrates 6 is led through the device, it being possible for said substrates 6 to be fitted with the components in fitting stations 7 of the conveying path 5.

[0026] In plan view, the basic body 2 has a cross-like structure, in which a main leg extends parallel to the conveying path 5 and underneath the latter. A central leg extends transversely with respect to the transport direction in the central area of the main leg. At its ends, wall-like central supports 8 projecting upward and obliquely with respect to each other are cast on for the carrier 3. Provided at the ends of the main legs are end walls 9 which are attached in one piece and which, above the basic body 2, are widened to form end supports 10 for the carrier 3. Arranged in the corner regions between the legs of the basic body 2 are spaces for feed devices 11 for the components to be fitted. The upper sides of the feed devices 11 are at the same vertical level as the substrate 6.

[0027] The plate-like carrier 3 is arranged at a distance above the conveying path 5. Mounted on its underside is the positioning device 4, which comprises a longitudinal guide 12 which is fixed to the underside of the carrier 3 and extends in the conveying direction, and a positioning arm 13 which is transverse thereto and which is displaceably mounted in the longitudinal guide 12. The latter is, for example, provided with magnetic parts which, together with a coil part belonging to the positioning arm 13, form a linear motor which drives the positioning arm.

[0028] On the underside of the positioning arm, a turret-like fitting head 14 is displaceably mounted, using which the components 15 can be transported from collecting stations 16 of the feed devices 11 to their placement locations on the substrate. The central supports 8 are so wide and flexurally rigid in the conveying direction that they effectively prevent oscillations caused by the movement of the positioning arm. Pulses triggered in the transverse direction by the movement of the fitting head are effectively prevented by the end supports. In order to achieve the highest possible fitting performance, it is expedient to assign a dedicated positioning device 4 for each fitting station.

[0029] Provided on the upper side of the carrier 3 are spaces for auxiliary devices, for example in the form of a control device 17 and a display 18. The basic body 2 is formed as a cast hollow body, through whose main leg an additional transport path 19 for the substrates 6 is led. This conveying path is used, for example, to lock substrates past the fitting stations. The cavities in the central secondary legs can be used, for example, to accommodate power supply units, pneumatic equipment or further control devices.

[0030] The device according to FIG. 3 differs from that according to FIG. 2 in the arrangement of the positioning axes. The modified longitudinal guides 21 here extend transversely with respect to the conveying direction of the substrates over each of the fitting stations and are fixed to a modified carrier 23 reinforced by ribs. On the longitudinal guide 21, two modified positioning arms 22 each having one of the fitting heads 14 can be moved. These form two positioning devices 20, which can alternately collect components and place them on the substrate, as a result of which the fitting performance is increased considerably. 

1. A device for fitting substrates (6) with electric components (15), it being possible for the substrates (6) to be transported through the device on a linear conveying path (5), the device having two fitting stations (7) located one after another in the conveying direction for the substrates (6), the device having, at each of the fitting stations, at least one positioning device (4, 20) for a fitting head (14) which can be moved in two coordinate directions for handling the components (15), and the positioning device (4, 20) being anchored to a carrier (3, 23) of a chassis (1) of the device, characterized in that the carrier (3, 23) extends above the fitting stations (7) in the conveying direction of the substrates (6), in one piece over both fitting stations (7) and is held on both sides on vertical end supports (10) belonging to the chassis (1), in that the positioning device (4, 20) for the fitting head (14) is arranged on the underside of the carrier (3, 23), and in that the carrier (3, 23) is fixed to central supports (8) of the chassis (1) between the two fitting stations on both sides of the positioning area of the fitting head (14).
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wall-like central supports (8), as viewed from above, extend in the conveying direction of the substrates (6) and are inclined obliquely upward with respect to one another in the manner of a roof.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wall-like end supports (10) extend at right angles to the conveying direction.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the plate-like carrier (3, 23) is detachably fastened to the supports and has recesses in its corner regions.
 5. The device as claimed in claim ?????, characterized in that the chassis (1) has a cross-like basic body (2), at whose ends the end supports (10) and the central supports (9) are attached.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the basic body (2) having the end supports (10) and the central supports (9) is formed as a single-piece casting.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the hollow basic body (2) has holders for auxiliary units and/or other auxiliary equipment.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that a transport path (19) for the substrates (6) can be inserted into the basic body (2), underneath the conveying path (5).
 9. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that mounting spaces for a plurality of the positioning devices (4, 20) are provided on the carrier (3, 23).
 10. The device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that spaces for feed devices (11) for the components are arranged on both sides of the conveying path (5) in the area of the fitting station, in that a positioning device (4) is arranged above each of the fitting stations (7), in that the positioning device (4) is formed by a longitudinal guide (12) fixed to the carrier (3) and a positioning arm (13) extending transversely with respect to the latter, in that the longitudinal guide (12) extends in the center over the fitting area in the conveying direction of the substrates (6), and in that the positioning arm (13) projects on both sides of the longitudinal guide (12) until beyond the spaces for the feed devices (11).
 11. The device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that two of the positioning devices (20) having two of the fitting heads (14) for the alternate population of the substrates (6) are provided above each of the fitting stations (7), in that the longitudinal guide (21) extends transversely with respect to the conveying device, in that two of the positioning arms (22) can be moved on the longitudinal guide (21) that is common to both positioning devices.
 12. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that spaces for operating and/or auxiliary electronic devices are provided on the upper side of the carrier (3). 